Bernard Barton (judge)

This article is about the Irish judge Bernard Barton. For other uses, see Bernard Barton.

Bernard Joseph Barton (born 1951)^[1] is a retired Irish judge who served as a Judge of the High Court from 2014 to 2021.

Bernard Barton
Judge of the High Court
In office 3 April 2014 – 10 March 2021
Nominated by	Government of Ireland
Appointed by	Michael D. Higgins
Personal details
Born	Bernard Joseph Barton 1951 (age 72–73) Limerick, Ireland
Spouse	Anne Marie Barton
Children	4
Education	Glenstal Abbey School
Alma mater	University College Dublin King's Inns

Early life

Barton was educated in Glenstal Abbey School, University College Dublin, the Irish Management Institute and the King's Inns.

Legal career

He became a barrister in 1977 and a senior counsel in 1997.^[1] His practice as a barrister was focused on tort, contract and personal injury litigation. He also lectured in the King's Inns.^[1]

Judicial career

He was appointed to the High Court in April 2014.^[2] Barton has heard a variety of criminal and civil matters in the High Court. He has heard cases including proceedings involving extradition,^[3] examinership,^[4] judicial review,^[5] employment law,^[6] and personal injuries.^[7]

In 2020, Barton became the judge in Charge of the Jury List of the High Court.^[8][9]

He has heard several notable defamation cases. In 2018 he was the trial judge for Paudie Coffey against the Kilkenny People,^[10] Paddy McKillen against the Irish Daily Mail,^[11] and Maurice McCabe against The Irish Times.^[12] He presided over Denis O'Brien against The Sunday Business Post^[13] and Gerald Kean against the Irish Daily Star in 2019.^[14]

Barton issued an arrest warrant for a juror who failed to return to court during a defamation case in July 2019.^[15]

He retired as a judge in March 2021.^[16][17]

Personal life

He is married to Anne Marie with whom he has four children.^[18] He is a member of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem and a former Grand Prior of the Grand Priory of Ireland.^[19] Prior to his appointment to the High Court, he was a member of Fine Gael.^[20]

References

1. "Appointments to the High Court". merrionstreet.ie. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
2. "President appoints Mr. Bernard Joseph Barton S.C." president.ie. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
3. "Extradition of Czech man cleared after seven years on run". The Irish Times. 3 August 2016. Archived from the original on 5 August 2016. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
4. "Examiner appointed to Shannon aircraft company". www.irishexaminer.com. 5 January 2015. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
5. Carolan, Mary (25 February 2016). "High Court overturns permission for Cork wind farm". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
6. "Richard Grogan: What does the law say about holding disciplinary hearings?". Irish Legal News. 5 November 2018. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
7. "Gardener awarded €100,800 after he sued employer over wrist injury". Independent.ie. 20 December 2017. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
8. "General Notices: 12 February 2020 - HC Judges Hilary '20". Courts.ie. Archived from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
9. "Notice - High Court Michaelmas Term - Assignment of Judges". Courts Service. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
10. "FG senator: article called me a 'robber' and cost me my Dáil seat". Independent.ie. 21 November 2018. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
11. "Developer Paddy McKillen receives apology from Irish Daily Mail in High Court". Breaking News. 3 July 2018. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
12. "Irish Times apologises to Sgt McCabe in defamation case". RTÉ News. 27 July 2018. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
13. Healy, Tim (2 March 2019). "Tycoon O'Brien loses his libel case and faces legal bill of up to €1m". Herald.ie. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
14. Irish Times. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
15. "Warrant for juror who failed to turn up after lunch break". The Irish Times. 3 July 2019. Archived from the original on 3 July 2019. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
16. "Circuit Court conference date postponement". www.lawsociety.ie. 18 February 2021. Archived from the original on 19 February 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
17. Carolan, Mary (9 March 2021). "Judge questions if insurers will pass personal injury savings to customers". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
18. "The ultimate Victorian on elegant Dún Laoghaire park for €2.275m". The Irish Times. 25 April 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
19. "The Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem - Ireland - H. E. the Chev. Bernard J. Barton, GCLJ Appointed as Judge of the High Court". www.st-lazarus.net. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
20. "Cabinet nominates judges for High Court". Independent.ie. 13 March 2014. Archived from the original on 30 June 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2019.